Damaged notes and coins

Updated: 22.12.2016

Euro and lats banknotes and circulation coins which are damaged or mutilated are replaced at the Cashier's Office of Latvijas Banka free of charge. Latvijas Banka does not replace banknotes and coins of other countries.

Latvijas Banka has the right to request a person to present a passport or personal identification card (ID card) upon the replacement of damaged euro and lats banknotes and circulation coins.

Latvijas Banka replaces damaged lats banknotes and circulation coins with euro banknotes and coins at the exchange rate set by the Council of the European Union subject to the following criteria:

the remaining part of lats banknotes, in one piece or torn and subsequently assembled and glued together, exceeds 51% of the original size and the security features are discernible and face value can be established;

the face value of lats circulation coins is discernible and coat of arms of the Republic of Latvia is distinguishable.

Latvijas Banka shall not replace a damaged lats banknote or a circulation coin where it fails to meet the above criteria and shall return it, if requested.

Latvijas Banka neither replaces nor reimburses any losses incurred on account of counterfeit lats banknotes and coins and does not return counterfeits to the customer but transfers them to the police.

Replacement of euro banknotes and circulation coins

Latvijas Banka replaces damaged euro banknotes and coins in compliance with the provisions of the European Union legislation:

the remaining part of euro banknotes, in one piece or torn and subsequently assembled and glued together, exceeds 50% of the original size;

the remaining part of euro banknotes equals 50% or less of the original size and an individual provides Latvijas Banka with a credible evidence that the missing parts have been destroyed and that such a banknote has been in circulation (e.g., presents a certificate issued by the State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia).

Latvijas Banka withdraws from circulation damaged euro banknotes, does not return the above to the submitter and does not redeem their face value where such banknotes have been intentionally damaged (e.g., some features and fragments have been deliberately cut out, security features damaged, conspicuous inscriptions and advertisements made on them, and the like). Slightly damaged euro banknotes (e.g., with notes, figures or short sentences written on them) are not deemed to be damaged euro banknotes and their face value is redeemed.

Latvijas Banka replaces damaged euro coins where such coins have been damaged due to long circulation or accident (e.g., fire, accident and a similar cause). An individual shall be obliged to submit reliable proofs of the accident (e.g., a certificate issued by the State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia, a certificate issued by the State Police of Latvia, a statement issued by an insurance company regarding the insurance case).

Latvijas Banka withdraws from circulation damaged euro coins, does not return the above to the submitter, and does not redeem their face value where the visual appearance of such coins has been altered either intentionally or by a process that could be reasonably expected to have an altering effect.

The following euro coins are deemed to be the coins where the visual appearance has been altered either intentionally or by a process that could be reasonably expected to have an altering effect:

bimetallic coins where an inner part and outer ring have fallen apart;

coins intentionally turned into a souvenir item or jewellery (e.g., a laminated coin, a coloured coin or coin coated with another material, a coin made into a pendant, beads, cufflinks with drilled holes or framed, with eyelets attached to it, and the like);

coins damaged during the processing or utilisation of waste or metal (scrap metal processing);

coins that have other features suggesting a deliberate damaging of coins or indicating that coins have been damaged by a process that could be reasonably expected to have such an effect.

Latvijas Banka neither replaces nor reimburses any losses incurred on account of counterfeit euro banknotes and coins and does not return counterfeits to the customer but transfers them to the police.

Should any doubt arise regarding the authenticity of the euro banknote or coin submitted for replacement, or where a torn banknote consists of more than two pieces or the size of the remaining part of a torn banknote cannot be established, or a large amount of coins or banknotes is submitted for replacement, or should there be any other cause for doubt, e.g. the banknote has been burnt, bleached, laundered, or a security feature is missing, the banknote is accepted for an expert examination on the basis of the customer's application, and the Commission for Examination of Lats Banknotes and Coins of Latvijas Banka is to decide on its replacement. An opinion is provided within one month.